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Thrifty Ideas: Especially for NFP Thrift Stores
If you manage, direct, work or simply volunteer in a non-profit donations-only thrift shop, chances are you have some challenges consignment or buy-outright shops don’t have. The biggest one could be...
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Got a moment? Get a brainstorm or at least a compliment
We all have those small, spare moments in our consignment or resale shops when we just need a break from accepting or pricing or killing dust bunnies. We need a break from the day-to-day. So what do we...
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Tell me WHY.
Telling someone to do something, without giving a reason why, only works for toddlers. And not very well at that. So if you want your shoppers, your donors, your sellers or your consignors to DO...
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Cute as a button… and profitable too!
Years ago, I was honored to be shown around a non-profit thrift store which really had it all together. What impressed me the most? The work room where the fix-it guys, the woodworkers, the...
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Give a hand to a local charity
I saw this photo on Flickr, which is just a jewelry display, and thought: Oh wow, what a great display for any sort of consignment, resale or thrift shop! Need a charity promo in your consignment or...
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The January Curse of Successful Resale Shops: Fluffing
Now I bet you came here expecting me to commiserate with you about not enough customers. (There, there, dear, it will get better.) But really, I want to talk about your bare shelves. If you’ve sold...
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Dealing with incoming: Preparation H to the rescue!
A NFP thrift-store shopkeeper writes: Needing some advice on processing donations. Our hospital thrift shop has a lovely, good-sized, well-lit store. BUT … the area to process donations is very small...
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Banding together: The Thrift Stores of Volusia County
One woman has started a “thrift store alliance”… which looks like it could be attracting consignment and resale shops as well… in a Florida county. Watch the news reel. Gather some ideas that you may...
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You don’t want it. Where does it go?
Where does discarded clothing end up? Some interesting facts. And some more. And more. And a fascinating book that a fellow resale shopkeeper sent me. I’m surprised at the 45% figure. Are you?...
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Hang ’em high, hang ’em low, hang ’em sturdy!
One of the hardest items to display in your home goods/ furniture consignment or resale shop is bedspreads, heavy drapes, blankets. You want to hang them so people can see them… but they are way too...
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Partnering with non-profits. Yes, even if your shop’s an NFP!
We’ve talked before about consignment and resale shops working with various non-profit groups to help them with their fund-raising… and incidentally, helping YOUR business with your profile-raising....
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Hot enough for you?
Too hot to shop. How to get the register jingling when it’s too hot to shop? How about holding a sizzling Virtual Sidewalk Sale? Here’s how: Pick about half a dozen great buys from your consignment or...
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Mystery Gift Thursday
I recently made the “acquaintance” of a great non-profit shopkeeper, Debbie Morrison, who runs three thrifts in Tennessee. She mentioned in passing a promotion her shop uses: Mystery gift Thursday:...
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Neat and tidy, or full and cluttered?
How to present a store full of… well, LOTS of STUFF. Great question came into my mailbox! And it came another time too! I have an odd question for you. Me and my assistant can’t seem to agree to...
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Kudos to Goodwill Washington!
What a great way to get your business out into the community! And to make the public aware that vintage items are gladly accepted. This idea, of offering vintage fashion shows to groups in your...
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